Alan Kulwicki (7) and Mark Martin (6) lead the field to the green flag for the start of the Busch 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in 1988. Martin made his first Cup start in 1981 and ran the full schedule in 1982 before running only select races over the next five seasons. He returned to full-time competition with Roush Racing in 1988. (RacingOne/NASCAR Media)

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Beating Rusty

Martin leads Rusty Wallace in the Budweiser at The Glen in 1993. Martin won the race, the first of three straight at Watkins Glen International. (RacingOne/NASCAR Media)

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Mile marker

Fans at Bristol honor Martin for his 1,000 start in August 2009. Fittingly, Martin started on the pole for the Sharpie 500. (Tom Whitmore/NASCAR Media)

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Standing tall

Martin celebrates in victory lane after winning at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1995. (Alan Marler/AP)

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Buschwacker

Martin celebrates after winning the Busch Series race at Rockingham in 1996. Martin dominated the Busch Series in the 1990s and won a then-record 49 Busch races. (Chuck Burton/AP)

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International champion

Martin holds up his trophy after winning the International Race of Champions (IROC) series race at Charlotte in 1997. Martin won a record five IROC championships, including three straight from 1996-98.
(Alan Marler/AP)

Every NASCAR driver worth his salt has served as an honorary official at a NASCAR wedding. Martin serves as honorary best man for Survivor winner Chris Daugherty as he marries Lorie Groves in victory lane at Daytona in 2005. (Paul Kizzle/AP)

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Legends of the 90s

Martin and Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace chat in the garage prior to the 1999 all-star race. (Rick Havner/AP)

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Legends of today

Martin and six-time champion Jimmie Johnson chat as they prepare for the 2010 Daytona 500. Martin and Johnson were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports. (J Pat Carter/AP)

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Cat in the hat

Martin spent most of his career driving for Jack Roush, winning 35 Cup races together. Martin left Roush Fenway Racing after the 2006 season to cut back to a part-time schedule. (Terry Renna/AP)

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Mentor

Martin has been a mentor to many young drivers, including Jeff Burton in 2000. (Jeff Klein/AP)

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Power brokers

Martin is congratulated by NASCAR President Mike Helton after winning at Chicago in 2009. (John Harrelson/NASCAR Media)

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Not Intimidated

Martin shares a moment with seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt in 1999. Martin finished second in points to Earnhardt in 1990 and 1994. (Jay Sailors/AP)

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Tough luck

Despite all his wins, Martin had his share of bad luck as well. Here, his hood pops up after a crash at Dover in 2002. (Nick Wass/AP)

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Bad break

Martin gets a lift at Daytona, where he injured his arm during a crash in practice in July 1999. (Scott Audette/AP)

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Pop-up

Martin takes a wild ride at Talladega in 2009. Despite winning at Talladega, Martin has never been a fan of restrictor-plate races. (Dave Martin/AP)

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One tough customer

Martin's Roush Fenway crew lifts him into his car at New Hampshire International Speedway in 1999. Martin was hobbled by a crash the previous week at Daytona. (Toby Talbot/AP)

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Hot streak

Martin drives down pit road with his car engulfed in flames at Daytona in July 2010. (Glenn Smith/AP)

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True legend

With his wife, Arlene, and his son, Matt, looking on, Martin places his hands in cement as he is inducted into the Court of Legends at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Terry Renna/AP)